Category Archives: Topical

Jesus regularly attracted large crowds because of his authoritative teaching and miracles. Consequently, it was necessary to warn the crowds that being his disciple was not an easy thing to venture upon. He taught “if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters,Continue reading “The High Cost of Discipleship”

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Bible records that it came about that he “went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?” (Luke 13:22-23). What did this inquirer have in mind when he posed this question to the Savior? To beContinue reading “Are There Few That Be Saved?”

Jesus had testified to being the Jews’ Messiah, the Son of God, and he had performed many miracles to prove his claims. Yet the people refused to believe him. He admonished them for their inability to rightly discern their circumstances. “And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud out of theContinue reading “Judge or Savior?”

What are you living for, that is, what are you looking to get out of this present life? We may not have actually said to ourselves, “I want this” or “I am seeking after this,” but the choices we make and the pursuits we follow collectively reveal what is really important to us and theContinue reading “What Are You Living For?”

Oftentimes, many Christians are overcome with worry because of placing too much importance on things that are of consequence, but really not that important. It was the same in Jesus’ day as in ours. The cure for such anxious care is the same today as it was then. Listen to Jesus. “And he said untoContinue reading “Anxious Care and the Right Pursuits”

Jesus attracted a crowd wherever he went teaching and healing. On one occasion, “when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people…one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:1, 13). In essence, he said “I want what’s mine and I wantContinue reading “The Danger of Covetousness”

As Jesus brings his pattern for prayer to a close, he includes this petition: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4). It is important to rightly understand what is meant by the word “temptation” as it is used in this passage. We often think of temptation as an enticementContinue reading “The Lord’s Prayer (Part 4)”

We come to the final two elements in Christ’s pattern of prayer for his disciples as recorded in Luke’s gospel. The first of these occurs following the petition for daily bread. Our Lord adds “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). Bear in mindContinue reading “The Lord’s Prayer (Part 3)”

Previously, we began to look at the Lord’s response to the petition of his disciples to teach them to pray. What has become commonly known as “the Lord’s prayer” opens with “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth” (LukeContinue reading “The Lord’s Prayer (Part 2)”